Czechs Condemn UNESCO Controversial Jerusalem Resolution

The Czech Republic is one of Israel's closest allies in the European Union

Lawmakers in the Czech Parliament’s lower house have condemned this week’s resolution by UNESCO that Israel says denies the deep historic Jewish connection to holy sites in Jerusalem.

The resolution, titled “Occupied Palestine,” lays out rules about the preservation of holy sites in Jerusalem, and uses only the Islamic name for a hilltop compound sacred to both Jews and Muslims. The site includes the Western Wall, a remnant of the biblical temple and the holiest site where Jews can pray.

In a Wednesday vote, 119 of the 149 lawmakers present approved a strongly worded protest against the step, saying the resolution denies historic links between the Jews and their holy sites, discredits UNESCO and fuels anti-Semitism.

The Czech Republic is one of Israel’s closest allies in the European Union.